Is this a form of shutdown?

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I'll be in a social situation (e.g., the pub) and while I'll initially be interacting with others I'll start to feel myself retreating/ withdrawing... I don't feel I'm losing cognitive function exactly, but I just don't seem to have anything much to say. Everything just seems to turn inwards.I usually start checking my reflection, sometimes adjust make-up, or scroll on my phone (sometimes I'm not particularly absorbed in what's on the screen though I can be). Other times I'll sit and feel kind of zoned out... not totally present in the moment compared to everyone else.I might get involved in my own thoughts but not always. I also tend to feel very tired and often just want to go home. Often I just seem to slip into this state without completely realising though I tend to recognise it quite well these days. If someone spoke to me I'd probably 'snap back' or perhaps I'd initiate an interaction myself if I had something in mind. I've done this my entire life that I can recall. I used to laugh about 'zoning out' all the time.

I'd say no matter what it's called, shutdown or some other term, like a shutdown, it's caused by sensory overload. For me since I have more severe versions of this, I call those shutdowns and milder version you described, overloads/overloaded. Or overwhelmed. In your case I'd say shutdown is a perfectly acceptable term. With any of these my cousin will either say "Uh oh Shea just went out to lunch" or "just blew a fuse".

Sensory overload, the mere desire to not be amongst people, or
both.

I get this as well, it's easier to just be with one or two people. Although that said, I've had it and then gotten really drunk and then been fine, maybe the alcohol stops it or something.

In some situations where I've expected to get it, like at a festival or very crowded room with lots of drunk metalheads and blaring music, I've not had it... so I figure it might depend on perhaps mood or diet or something, I'm not entirely sure it's just very odd and a little annoying. Especially when you get it at an event you've paid for and you're not paying attention to it.

Thank you for the replies. I wasn't sure if this was a 'normal' thing or an ASD thing but it sounds like it could be the latter. There's other situations (such as the supermarket) where when I'm with my partner I'll often start to feel quite tense after a while, especially when I don't have full control of the situation (I don't mean in a nasty way, I just get stressy otherwise but am aware of this these days so try not to be an ass about it). Lately I've been sitting down while they go through the checkout. I feel lazy but I make sure to help when we get home.

I just feel very 'done' sometimes.

I'm certain there IS an element of laziness to some of my behaviours/ feelings. I live up a hill so will often justify getting a taxi from town to avoid the walk. I just perceive it as this massive effort but also realise I would be happier overall if I learned to push through. Still, the zoning out just occurs so I feel that's different.

I guess my confusion is, I'm not consciously aware of getting overloaded. I couldn't point to a specific input. I got the impression a lot of people can, so can overload happen on a subconscious level?

Lunella, I feel you on the alcohol issue. Trouble is, as soon as I start to sober up (which can happen quite quickly), that's me 'done' again. I'm pretty sure I also zone out at events. Or I'll engage with it through my imagination if that makes any sense?

More of a Burnout.
This sounds like what happens to an introvert over time; you can function socially at first, but you feel the need to recover right? Just a general fatigue?

That is simply a lack of (social) energy; shutdowns (as well as meltdowns) usually are accompanied by a loss of part or all cognitive function, which is not what you are describing.


This loss of social energy is not an ASD thing, it is an introvert thing, but introverted aspies are more prone to is, since increased perception makes us expend more energy than general.

Hi Niknak:

I can relate. When I was younger, I would just flee as soon as I started to feel that way. Unfortunately, just walking off in the middle of a conversation and going home is not taken well by the masses (interpreted as rude).

Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much. If you start feeling exhausted, you can always just politely excuse yourself and say goodbye to everyone. The best thing (for me) has been that my good friends know me well, so they don't necessarily expect me to stay out when I am exhausted. They call it my disappearing act, but I don't think that they mean it in a bad way. They are also totally ok with me checking out and not speaking for hours at a time. Hopefully you have a few good people around you who are understanding. If you have friends that are not patient with this, you might want to minimize how much you hang out. The worst thing is when you feel that way and you are still obligated to stay out AND talk. That can be super stressful.